CN108022789B

CN108022789B - Instantaneous structure of miniature toggle switch

Info

Publication number: CN108022789B
Application number: CN201711069432.8A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 朱永兵; 朱显嗣; 秦游; 邓冬梅; 陈旭升
Original assignee: Honeywell International Inc
Current assignee: Honeywell International Inc
Priority date: 2016-11-04
Filing date: 2017-11-03
Publication date: 2021-10-29
Anticipated expiration: 2037-11-03
Also published as: US20180130615A1; CN108022789A; US10163586B2

Abstract

The invention relates to a transient structure of a miniature toggle switch. Embodiments are generally directed to methods and systems for providing a biasing mechanism for a momentary toggle switch. The toggle switch may include a housing; a plurality of contact portions disposed within the housing; an actuation lever coupled to a pivot pin, wherein the actuation lever extends into the housing; an actuator assembly coupled to the actuator stem configured to actuate a movable contact of the plurality of contacts between a first position and a second position; and a biasing mechanism configured to bias the actuator assembly into the first position, wherein the biasing mechanism comprises a torsion spring.

Description

Instantaneous structure of miniature toggle switch

Cross Reference to Related Applications

This application claims priority from U.S. patent application serial No. 15/343,654, entitled "motor study FOR MINI touch SWITCH," filed by Sean Zhu et al on 11, 4/2016, which is incorporated herein by reference as if reproduced in its entirety.

Statement regarding federally sponsored research or development

Not applicable.

Reference to the microfilm appendix

Not applicable.

Technical Field

The invention relates to a transient structure of a miniature toggle switch.

Background

A toggle switch is a switch in which a protruding lever can be used to open or close an electrical circuit. Various types of toggle switches have been used in domestic, commercial and industrial applications to control power for operating various electrical devices and equipment.

Disclosure of Invention

In an embodiment, the toggle switch may include a housing; a plurality of contact portions disposed within the housing; an actuation lever coupled to a pivot pin, wherein the actuation lever extends into the housing; an actuator assembly coupled to the actuator stem configured to actuate a movable contact of the plurality of contacts between a first position and a second position; and a biasing mechanism configured to bias the actuator assembly into the first position, wherein the biasing mechanism comprises a torsion spring.

In an embodiment, a method of operating a toggle switch may include providing an actuation force to an actuation lever while the actuation lever is in a first position; moving an actuator assembly located at an end of an actuation rod from a first position to a second position in response to the actuation force; compressing a torsion spring disposed about the actuating lever in response to the movement; and actuating an electrical connection between the movable contact and the fixed contact in response to the movement.

In an embodiment, the toggle switch may include a housing; a fixed contact portion provided in the housing; a movable contact portion disposed within the housing, wherein the movable contact portion is configured to move between a first position and a second position; an actuation lever coupled to a pivot pin, wherein the actuation lever extends into the housing; an actuator assembly coupled to the actuator stem configured to actuate the moveable contact between the first position and the second position; and a biasing mechanism configured to bias the actuator assembly into the first position, wherein the biasing mechanism comprises a torsion spring configured to be attached to the housing and the actuator stem.

Drawings

For a more complete understanding of this disclosure, reference is now made to the following brief description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings and detailed description, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts.

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a toggle switch.

Fig. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the toggle switch.

Fig. 3A-3B illustrate cross-sectional views of a toggle switch including a biasing mechanism according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

Fig. 4 illustrates a top view of a toggle switch including a biasing mechanism according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

It should be understood at the outset that although illustrative implementations of one or more embodiments are illustrated below, the disclosed systems and methods may be implemented using any number of techniques, whether currently known or not yet existing. The present disclosure is not to be limited in any way by the illustrative embodiments, drawings, and techniques described below, but may be modified within the scope of the appended claims along with their full scope of equivalents.

The following brief definitions of terms will apply throughout the application:

the term "comprising" means including, but not limited to, and should be interpreted in the manner in which it is commonly used in the patent context;

the phrases "in one embodiment," "according to one embodiment," and the like generally mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the phrase may be included in at least one embodiment of the present invention, and may be included in more than one embodiment of the present invention (importantly, such phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment);

if the specification describes something as "exemplary" or "an example," it is understood that it refers to a non-exclusive example;

the terms "about" or "approximately" or the like, when used with a number, may mean a particular number, or alternatively, a range near the particular number, as understood by those skilled in the art; and

if the specification states a component or feature "may," "can," "should," "will," "preferably," "might," "generally," "optionally," "for example," "often," or "may" (or other such language) be included or have a characteristic, that particular component or feature is not required to be included or have that characteristic. Such components or features may optionally be included in some embodiments, or they may be excluded.

Embodiments of the present disclosure include systems and methods for operating a momentary toggle switch. Toggle switches can be manufactured with a housing that houses electrical contacts and is equipped with a manually operable handle to switch power to externally mounted terminals. In an embodiment of the toggle switch, the handle has a biasing mechanism inside the housing that actuates one or more elements to make or break electrical conduction with the contacts. Toggle switches are used in many harsh environments where the switch may be subject to vibration, temperature extremes, dust and/or water. The switch may also be designed to be well suited for operation with gloved hands.

In a momentary toggle switch, the switch may be biased toward the first position unless a force is acting on the switch to urge the switch to the second position. The biasing mechanism is important to the function of the switch because the switch must return to the first position when force is no longer applied to the switch. If the biasing mechanism fails, the resulting signal may cause the control system to malfunction. Such failures can be catastrophic when used in critical operations such as aircraft control. Disclosed herein is a toggle switch with less chance of failure and a reduced housing size that addresses the need for a simple biasing mechanism.

Referring now to fig. 1, an assembled toggle switch 100 is shown, wherein the toggle switch 100 includes a toggle mechanism 102 having an actuating lever 103 extending into a housing 104. The actuation rod 103 may extend from the exterior of the housing 104 through the cover 106 into the interior of the housing 104. The cover 106 can be affixed and/or sealed to the housing 104. The pivot pin 108 can be coupled to the cover 106 and extend through the actuation lever 103 to act as a pivot point for the actuation lever 103 and control movement of the actuation lever 103 about the axis of the pivot pin 108. In some embodiments, the toggle switch 100 can include one or more seals or sealing elements between elements of the toggle switch 100.

Fig. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the toggle switch 100. The toggle switch 100 can comprise a momentary toggle switch, wherein the toggle mechanism 102 can be biased in the "open" position unless a force is applied to the switch to momentarily move the toggle mechanism 102 to the "closed" position to activate the current. Another force within the housing 104 may bias the actuation lever 103 into the open position when there is no force on the actuation lever 103 outside the cover 106. The force may be provided by a biasing mechanism 110.

The actuator assembly 124 can be coupled to an end of the actuation rod 103 within the housing 104 to allow actuation of the moveable contact 120. One or more electrical connections 122 and 126 (which may be contacts, retainers, or other conductive elements) can be placed in electrical contact by the movable contact 120 to provide signals to an external device such as a controller. In some embodiments, the moveable contact 120 may include a curved element attached to the conductive holder 126, and the conductive holder 126 may act as an axis due to the moveable contact 120, wherein the actuator assembly 124 may move along the moveable contact 120 and rotate the moveable contact 120 about the axis 126. The movable contact 120 can be coupled to the first contact by the conductive holder 126, thereby electrically coupling the movable contact 120 to the first contact. When pivoted into contact with the second contact, an electrical connection can be made between the first and second contacts through the conductive holder 126 and the movable contact 120.

In fig. 2, the toggle switch may be in an "on" position when the movable contact 120 is not in contact with the fixed contact 122, and thus no current passes through the movable contact 120 and the fixed contact 122. When an external force is applied to the actuation rod 103, the actuator assembly 124 may move the movable contact 120 into contact with the fixed contact 122, thereby establishing an electrical connection between the two contacts.

As shown in fig. 2, the actuation rod 103 can extend from the exterior of the housing 104 through the cover 106 into the interior of the housing 104. The pivot pin 108 can be coupled to the cover 106 and extend through the actuation lever 103 to serve as a pivot point for the actuation lever 103 and to control movement of the actuation lever 103 about the axis of the pivot pin 108. For example, the actuation lever 103 can be constrained to move in a rotational manner in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the pivot pin 108.

The biasing mechanism 110 may include one or more springs 132, the springs 132 configured to bias the actuator assembly 124 away from the fixed contact 122 and into an open position. The spring 132 may compress when the actuator assembly 124 is urged toward the fixed contact 122 by a force on the actuation rod 103. The biasing mechanism 110 may also include a push plate 130 attached to a spring 132 and configured to push against a lower end of the actuation rod 103 proximate the actuator assembly 124. The push plate 130 can be shaped to fit around/against at least a portion of the actuation rod 103 while also serving to hold the spring 132 in place. In the toggle switch 100 shown in fig. 2, the biasing mechanism 110 includes three separate elements: two springs 132 and a push plate 130.

Referring to fig. 3A and 3B, embodiments of the present disclosure include a toggle switch 300 that includes a single element biasing mechanism 310. The single element biasing mechanism 310 may include a torsion spring 330. Torsion spring 330 may also be referred to as a "torsion spring" comprising one or more coils (coils) configured to provide a bias in a particular direction. The toggle switch 300 may be similar to the toggle switch 100 described above. The toggle switch 300 may include a toggle mechanism 302 having an actuating rod 303 extending into a housing 304. The actuation rod 303 may extend from the exterior of the housing 304 through the cover 306 into the interior of the housing 304. The cover 306 can be attached and/or sealed to the housing 304. The pivot pin 308 can be coupled to the cover 306 and extend through the actuation lever 303 to serve as a pivot point for the actuation lever 303 and to control movement of the actuation lever 303 about the axis of the pivot pin 308.

The toggle switch 300 can comprise a momentary toggle switch, wherein the toggle mechanism 302 can be biased in the "open" position unless a force acts on the switch to momentarily move the toggle mechanism 302 to the "closed" position to activate the electrical connection between the contacts. When there is no force on the actuator lever 303 outside the cover 306, another force within the housing may bias the actuator lever 303 into the open position. The force may be provided by a biasing mechanism 310.

The actuator assembly 324 can be coupled to an end of the actuation rod 303 within the housing 304 to allow actuation of the moveable contact 320. One or more electrical connections 322 and 326 (which may be contacts, retainers, or other conductive elements) can be electrically coupled to the movable contact 320, and the movable contact 320 can selectively contact the fixed contact 322 to provide signals to one or more external devices, such as a controller. In some embodiments, the moveable contact 320 may include a curved element attached to an axis 326, wherein the actuator assembly 324 may move along the moveable contact 320 and rotate the moveable contact 320 about the axis 326. In some embodiments, the axis 326 may also include a contact and/or a conductive retainer to electrically couple the contact with the movable contact 320.

In fig. 3A, toggle switch 300 may be in an "open" position, wherein movable contact 320 is not in contact with fixed contact 322, and thus there is no electrical connection between movable contact 320 and fixed contact 322. In fig. 3B, the toggle switch 300 may be in a "closed" position, wherein the movable contact 320 contacts the fixed contact 322, and thus current is transferred through the

contacts

320 and 322, and the function may be activated by the toggle switch 300.

The actuation rod 303 can extend from the exterior of the housing 304 through the cover 306 into the interior of the housing 304. The pivot pin 308 can be coupled to the cover 306 and extend through the actuation lever 303 to act as a pivot point for the actuation lever 303 and control movement of the actuation lever 303 about the axis of the pivot pin 308. For example, the actuation lever 303 can be constrained to move in a rotational manner in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the pivot pin 308.

The biasing mechanism 310 for the toggle mechanism 302 may include a single torsion spring 330. In some embodiments, the biasing mechanism 310 may not include any other elements besides the torsion spring 330. The torsion spring 330 may include a fixed end 332 and a movable end 334. The fixed end 332 may be attached to a portion 340 of the housing 304. The portion 340 may include a protrusion or bar, wherein the fixed end 332 may fit around the portion 340 of the housing 304. The moveable end 334 of the torsion spring 330 may be configured to fit around at least a portion of the actuation rod 303.

The torsion spring 330 may include one or more coils 336 located between the fixed end 332 and the movable end 334. In the embodiment shown in fig. 3A-3B, two coils 336 may be used, wherein the coils 336 may be positioned on either side of the actuation rod 303. As shown in fig. 3B, when a force (indicated by arrow 350) pushes the actuation rod 303 toward the fixed end 332 of the torsion spring 330, the coil 336 may compress and allow the actuation rod 303 to be pushed between the coil 336. The torsion spring 330 may allow the actuator rod 303 to move closer to the housing 304 than typical biasing mechanisms (such as the biasing mechanism 110 described above), and this may allow the size of the housing 304 to be reduced while maintaining the same travel distance for the actuator rod 303.

The biasing mechanism 310 shown in fig. 3A-3B reduces the mechanism to only one element, the torsion spring 330. Reducing the complexity and number of elements required to bias the actuating rod 303 allows for a simpler device that is easier to manufacture. Additionally, the cost of the device may be reduced and the chance of component failure may be reduced.

Fig. 4 shows a top view of the housing 304 with the cover 306 removed. The spring 330 may be attached to the housing 304 via a protrusion or bar 340 extending from the housing 304. The fixed end 332 of the torsion spring 330 may include a ring configured to fit around the protrusion 340. The moveable end 334 of the torsion spring 330 may include a ring (as shown above) configured to fit around the actuation rod 303.

The movable contact 320 and the stationary contact 322, when in contact with each other, may provide an electrical signal within the housing 304 and/or within an external device such as a control circuit or the like. The

conductive elements

320, 322, and 326 can be sealed using potting material or other sealing connection through the housing 304.

Referring to fig. 3-4, the biasing mechanism 310 may maintain the actuation rod 303 in the open position within the housing 304. A force can be applied to the outer portion of the actuator rod that is greater than the biasing force provided by the biasing mechanism 310. In response to the force, the inner end of the actuation rod 303 can begin to move the actuator assembly 324 along the moveable contact 320. As the actuation lever 303 moves past the pivot point adjacent the first contact portion, the moveable contact portion 320 may begin to rotate in response to the force provided by the actuator assembly 324. As the actuation rod 303 continues to move to the actuated position, the actuator assembly 324 can push the moveable contact 320 into contact with the second contact. In this position, an electrical connection or path is established between the two contacts either directly through the movable contact 320 or through a connector formed above the first contact and through a portion of the pivot of the movable contact 320. When the actuator rod 303 is moved into the closed position, the biasing mechanism 310 can compress and the plurality of coils can be aligned on either side of the actuator rod 303. In this arrangement, at least one of the plurality of coils can be disposed on either side of the actuator rod 303 within the housing 304.

In order to remain in the closed position, the force on the outer portion of the actuation rod 303 must be maintained. When the force is removed, the biasing force from the biasing mechanism 310 can be sufficient to move the actuation rods 303 from the closed position back to the open position.

Having described various apparatus and methods, various embodiments can include, but are not limited to:

in a first embodiment, the toggle switch may include a housing; a plurality of contact portions disposed within the housing; an actuation lever coupled to a pivot pin, wherein the actuation lever extends into the housing; an actuator assembly coupled to the actuator stem configured to actuate a movable contact of the plurality of contacts between a first position and a second position; and a biasing mechanism configured to bias the actuator assembly into the first position, wherein the biasing mechanism comprises a torsion spring.

A second embodiment can include the toggle switch of the first embodiment, wherein the movable contact contacts a stationary contact when the movable contact is actuated into the second position, thereby establishing an electrical connection between the movable contact and the stationary contact.

A third embodiment can include the toggle switch of the second embodiment, wherein the electrical connection between the movable contact and the stationary contact provides a signal to an external device.

A fourth embodiment can include the toggle switch of any of the first through third embodiments, wherein the biasing mechanism comprises a single torsion spring affixed to the housing and configured to engage the actuating lever.

A fifth embodiment can include the toggle switch of any of the first through fourth embodiments, wherein the torsion spring comprises a fixed end configured to be attached to a portion of the housing and a movable end configured to be attached to the actuation lever, wherein the movable end moves relative to the fixed end.

A sixth embodiment can include the toggle switch of the fifth embodiment, wherein the torsion spring comprises at least one coil between the fixed end and the movable end.

A seventh embodiment can include the toggle switch of the fifth or sixth embodiment, wherein the torsion spring includes two coils located between the fixed end and the movable end, and wherein the two coils are located on either side of the actuating lever when the torsion spring is compressed.

An eighth embodiment can include the toggle switch of any one of the fifth to seventh embodiments, wherein the torsion spring comprises at least one vertical coil between the fixed end and the movable end, wherein a direction of the vertical coil is approximately perpendicular to a direction of movement of the actuating lever.

A ninth embodiment can include the toggle switch of any one of the first through eighth embodiments, further comprising a cover coupled to the housing, wherein the actuation lever extends through the cover into the housing, and wherein the pivot pin is coupled to the cover.

A tenth embodiment can include the toggle switch of any of the first through ninth embodiments, wherein the toggle switch comprises a momentary switch.

An eleventh embodiment can include the toggle switch of any of the first through tenth embodiments, wherein the moveable contact comprises a curved element attached to an axis, and wherein the actuator assembly is configured to rotate the moveable contact about the axis.

In a twelfth embodiment, a method of operating a toggle switch may include providing an actuation force to an actuation lever while the actuation lever is in a first position; moving an actuator assembly located at an end of the actuation rod from a first position to a second position in response to the actuation force; compressing a torsion spring disposed about the actuating lever in response to the movement; and actuating an electrical connection between the movable contact and the fixed contact in response to the movement.

A thirteenth embodiment can include the method of the twelfth embodiment, further comprising releasing the actuation force from the actuation lever; moving the actuator assembly from the second position to the first position in response to a bias from a compressed spring; and releasing the electrical connection between the movable contact portion and the fixed contact portion.

A fourteenth embodiment can include the method of any of the twelfth to thirteenth embodiments, wherein moving the actuator assembly from the first position to the second position includes moving the actuator assembly from one end of a movable contact to another end of the movable contact.

A fifteenth embodiment can include the method of any of the twelfth to fourteenth embodiments wherein the torsion spring is directly affixed to the actuating lever.

A sixteenth embodiment can include the method of any one of the twelfth to fifteenth embodiments, wherein the torsion spring is directly affixed to a housing of the toggle switch.

In a seventeenth embodiment, a toggle switch may include a housing; a fixed contact portion provided in the housing; a movable contact portion disposed within the housing, wherein the movable contact portion is configured to move between a first position and a second position; an actuation lever coupled to a pivot pin, wherein the actuation lever extends into the housing; an actuator assembly coupled to the actuator stem configured to actuate the moveable contact between the first position and the second position; and a biasing mechanism configured to bias the actuator assembly into the first position, wherein the biasing mechanism comprises a torsion spring configured to be attached to the housing and the actuator rod.

An eighteenth embodiment can include the toggle switch of the seventeenth embodiment, wherein the movable contact portion is configured to contact the fixed contact portion when the movable contact portion is in the second position.

A nineteenth embodiment can include the toggle switch of the seventeenth or eighteenth embodiment, wherein the moveable contact comprises a curved element attached to an axis, and wherein the actuator assembly is configured to rotate the moveable contact about the axis.

A twentieth embodiment can include the toggle switch of any one of the seventeenth to nineteenth embodiments, wherein the torsion spring comprises a fixed end configured to be attached to a portion of the housing; a movable end configured to be attached to the actuating lever, wherein the movable end moves relative to the fixed end; and at least one vertical coil located between the fixed end and the movable end, wherein a direction of the vertical coil is approximately perpendicular to a moving direction of the actuating rod.

A twenty-first embodiment can include the toggle switch of any of the first through twentieth embodiments, wherein the biasing mechanism does not include any elements other than the torsion spring.

While various embodiments in accordance with the principles disclosed herein have been shown and described above, modifications thereof can be made by one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and teachings of the disclosure. The embodiments described herein are merely representative and are not intended to be limiting. Many variations, combinations, and modifications are possible and are within the scope of the disclosure. Alternative embodiments resulting from combining, integrating, and/or omitting features of the embodiment(s) are also within the scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the scope of protection is not limited by the description set out above, but is instead defined by the claims which follow, that scope including all equivalents of the subject matter of the claims. Each and every claim is incorporated into the specification as a further disclosure, and a claim is an embodiment(s) of the invention(s). Moreover, any advantages and features described above may relate to particular embodiments, but the application of such issued claims should not be limited to methods and structures for achieving any or all of the above advantages or having any or all of the above features.

Additionally, section headings as used herein are provided to be consistent with the recommendations under 37c.f.r.1.77, or to otherwise provide organizational cues. These headings are not intended to limit or characterize the invention(s) that may be recited in any claims that may issue from this disclosure. In particular and by way of example, although the headings may refer to a "technical field," the claims should not be limited by the language selected under this heading to describe the so-called technical field. Furthermore, the description of technology in the "background" should not be construed as an admission that certain technology is prior art to any invention(s) in this disclosure. The "summary" is also not to be considered a limiting feature of the invention(s) set forth in the issued claims. Furthermore, any reference in this disclosure to "the invention" in the singular should not be used to argue that there is only a single point of novelty in this disclosure. Multiple inventions may be set forth according to the limitations of the multiple claims issuing from this disclosure, and such claims accordingly define the invention(s) thereby protected, and equivalents thereof. In all cases, the scope of the claims should be considered in light of this disclosure with its own advantages, but should not be limited by the headings set forth herein.

The use of broader terms such as "including," including, "and" having "should be understood to provide support for narrower terms such as" consisting of, "" consisting essentially of, "and" consisting essentially of. Use of the terms "optionally," "may," "potentially," "possibly," and the like with respect to any element of an embodiment means that the element is not required, or alternatively, the element is required, both alternatives being within the scope of the embodiment(s). Additionally, references to examples are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to be exclusive.

While several embodiments have been provided in the present disclosure, it should be understood that the disclosed systems and methods may be embodied in many other specific forms without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. The present examples are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive, and the intention is not to be limited to the details given herein. For example, various elements or components may be combined or integrated in another system, or certain features may be omitted, or not implemented.

Moreover, techniques, systems, subsystems, and methods described and illustrated in the various embodiments as discrete or separate may be combined or integrated with other systems, modules, techniques, or methods without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Other items shown or discussed as directly coupled or communicating with each other may be indirectly coupled or communicating through some interface, device, or intermediate component, whether electrically, mechanically, or otherwise. Other examples of changes, substitutions, and alterations are ascertainable by one skilled in the art and could be made without departing from the spirit and scope disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A toggle switch (300), comprising:

a housing (304);

a plurality of contacts disposed within the housing (304);

an actuation lever (302) coupled to a pivot pin (308), wherein the actuation lever (302) extends into the housing (304);

an actuator assembly (324) coupled to the actuation rod (302) configured to actuate a movable contact (320) of the plurality of contacts between a first position and a second position; and

a biasing mechanism (310) configured to bias the actuator assembly (324) into the first position, wherein the biasing mechanism (310) includes a torsion spring (330),

wherein the torsion spring (330) comprises a first coil and a second coil, the first coil being disposed on the right side of a vertical plane bisecting the actuator lever (302), and the second coil being disposed on the left side of the vertical plane bisecting the actuator lever (302).

2. The toggle switch (300) of claim 1, wherein the movable contact (320) contacts a stationary contact (322) when the movable contact (320) is actuated into the second position, thereby establishing an electrical connection between the movable contact (320) and the stationary contact (322).

3. The toggle switch (300) of claim 2, wherein the electrical connection between the movable contact (320) and the stationary contact (322) provides a signal to an external device.

4. The toggle switch (300) of claim 1, wherein the biasing mechanism (310) includes a single torsion spring (330) affixed to the housing (304) and configured to engage the actuating lever (302).

5. The toggle switch (300) of claim 1, wherein the torsion spring (330) includes a fixed end (332) configured to be attached to a portion of the housing (304) and a movable end (334) configured to be attached to the actuating lever (302), wherein the movable end (334) moves relative to the fixed end (332).

6. The toggle switch (300) of claim 5, wherein the first coil and the second coil are located between the fixed end (332) and the movable end (334).

7. The toggle switch (300) of claim 1, wherein the moveable contact (320) includes a curved element attached to an axis (326), and wherein the actuator assembly (324) is configured to rotate the moveable contact (320) about the axis (326).

8. A method of operating a toggle switch, the method comprising:

providing an actuation force to an actuation lever while the actuation lever is in a first position;

moving an actuator assembly located at an end of the actuation rod from the first position to a second position in response to the actuation force;

compressing a torsion spring disposed about the actuating lever in response to the movement; and

actuating an electrical connection between the movable contact and the fixed contact in response to the movement,

wherein the torsion spring comprises a first coil and a second coil, the first coil being disposed on a right side of a vertical plane bisecting the actuator lever, and the second coil being disposed on a left side of the vertical plane bisecting the actuator lever.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

releasing the actuation force from the actuation lever;

moving the actuator assembly from the second position to the first position in response to a bias from a compressed spring; and

releasing the electrical connection between the movable contact portion and the fixed contact portion.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein moving the actuator assembly from the first position to the second position comprises moving the actuator assembly from one end of a movable contact to another end of the movable contact.